What can I say...the world goes on, I guess, even when we fail to update our blogs. The excuse I use for being so remiss is that I am so overwhelmed with life that when a few down minutes exist, I choose to crawl in the recliner, turn on CNN and worry about what is happening in this world and/or take a nap! What is wrong with that picture, I ask?... :( Now, having just gotten caught up on reading my family's blogs, including my granddaughter's from September!!!!, I feel it is very selfish of me not to share What's Up In AZ on a more consistent basis. Therefore, I am really going to try to do better in the future. ;)
Why am I overwhelmed, one might ask! Let's see....
I am a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) for three foster children who each have a separate case. so that means three times the paper work and three times the monthly gatherings with my foster kids and their families.
I am on the Removal Review Board for Foster Children (two /24 hour on call commitments per month.
I am on the Foster Care Review Board for 8 hours each month, which doesn't include reading about 10 cases prior to the review each month ( about 10/15 hours to prepare)
I am a home bound Eucharistic Minister for my church and give communion to two shut-ins weekly.
I serve communion at church two to three times per month.
I have just been appointed to our church council by my priest, which meets monthly and we are just beginning a financial drive to build our new church! (I wonder how much more time that will require?)
I am responsible for doing the administrative duties and billing for my husband's mental health counseling private practice.
I dance 3 times a week at practice from 7AM to 9:45AM, plus we perform 2 or 3 times a month at various places.
I am, again, preparing my dance routine to "Big, Blond, and Beautiful" from Hair Spray for the MS. Senior AZ Pageant next April 2009.
I am revamping our landscaping in the front of our house...
I am finishing the interior painting of our entire household that I began in 2004..since last week my husband's therapy area now has the same colored woodwork throughout.
I try to maintain a 1700 sq ft home in an orderly fashion, which at this time is good in some areas, but quite lacking in other areas.
Oh, don't let me forget, I have purchased the needed materials to scrape, patch, sand and paint the outside trim on our home and, also, to install rain gutters where they have never been before to keep the wood from rotting again!
Lastly, I have an appointment upon my return from Illinois on 10/ 28 at the Arizona Heart Institute in Phoenix for a 64 slice CT scan to figure out why I still have Stable Angina, even after having two stents put in the main inlet to my heart last January.
I am certain that I have failed to mention other things, eg; trying to keep my husband happy and helping him through his trials of obtaining new contracts, which ,by the way, we just did with the militart branch of the government. Last week, after three months of pursuing this, he was accepted as a mental health counselor for our military. This means his assignments can range from 3 days to 30, 60, 90 days...counseling at various worldwide locations! They have promised that they will not send him to Iran or Iraq...how comforting is that? One positive is that during his absence, I will not have to cook and clean the kitchen every day, which takes up about 3 to 4 hours of my days!!!
During his absence today, I will do about 12 hours fo monthly reports and reports to the Judge for my foster kids, make a pot of chili, a pan of corn bread and a carrot/spice cake with cream cheese filling. I have two days left to prepare him, his business, my volunteer activities,the house and me for my trip to Illionois, where, hopefully, I will have a chance to catch my breath and give and receive lots of kisse and hugs to fill my bucket enough to last me 'til next May when I visit Illinois again to attend my daughter, Jacque's, graduation from grad/school.
Thank you Lord for my many, many blessings and Your grace because I certainly don't know what I have done to deserve them all. I guess that is why we speak of Your grace, because You give Your love and miracles without our having earned or being deserving of them. We love you Lord.
Lots of hugs and kisses 'til we meet again to all my babies big and small from yo mama, yo grammie, yo great-grammie, yo auntie, yo great-auntie, yo sister and yo friend.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Where To Begin?
Shock, shock..we are all still alive here in the high desert! So much has happened since my last blog..hard to choose what to talk about, so will try to stick to the main points, so as not to write a mile-long blog.
Firstly, the Ms Senior AZ pageant was a vast learning experience for me. Although I did not win or even place in the top five, I learned quite a bit about pageantry, made many new friends and qualified to become a member of the Cameo Club. So, why is that so great, you ask? Now my friend, Shirley, and I can perform duets at their shows, which they have to earn money for Alzheimer's. Who knows, maybe I'll try again next year, "God willing and the creek doesn't rise."
Maybe next year, I will not be sick as a dog with a horrible cold at pageant time, as I was this year.
My three CASA cases are moving along towards permanency of adoption, some more smoothly than others. With my poor health and busy schedule on top of it all, I have been a bit remiss spending time with my CASA kids. I, now, plan to correct that, beginning with taking them all to the circus in the next few weeks. My thirteen year-old and I did go on a hike three weeks ago, which was great fun..she is such a dear young lady. In the next couple weeks, I have three court hearings and two foster-care review boards and three child-family-team members to attend and three CASA reports and two reports to the judge to write, files to organize and dispose of and then I will make an attempt to organize the office.
The best happening I have experienced in the past six weeks, or so, is my visit to Illinois to see all my babies, big and small and, yes, even the tiny one! Where to begin? My time was very busy there for two weeks doing movie going (the Narnia Movie), mini putting at Volcano Falls (my favorite course!), attending and providing transportation to My 12 year-old's three girls fast ball games, attending and providing rides to swimming lessons for Brennan (5Th level) and Kristina (junior lifeguard) classes, lots of eating out (especially great to see and eat at my friend's restaurant, yum, yum!), lots and lots of shopping...praise God for Marshall's dept. store, where one can buy great quality for half the price), cooking a few good homemade dinners, which my 14 year-old grandson informed me about, saying even though he loved me and enjoyed my visits, two weeks of homemade food and no fast food was really hard for him! Sorry Brennan, I really fear your health on all that fast food and hope your liver doesn't begin to fail like the guy's that ate only at McDonald's for 30 days! What else, oh yes..took a ride up to see my son and daughter-in-law in Kenosha, WI. It was great to see where they live now temporarily one block from Lake Michigan..cooked goulash for them and one would have thought I made fillet Mignon! They were both sooo delighted! Took a 12" stainless steel fry pan for a gift and have since heard back from them that it's the best pan they have It browns so well and even their hamburgers taste sooo much better! Ah yes, tricks of the cooking trade passed onto the young by the elderly. I slept on their 3rd floor guest room air mattress. The bed was fine, however the climb was a challenge, at best! I do believe, however, it did make my heart stronger from the experience.
I had the opportunity to see my great-granddaughter for two weekends as her mommy and daddy had to work, along with spending an afternoon at my granddaughter's apartment, swimming and eating Subways...YUM, YUM! Aubrey, was quite ill the last weekend and just wanted her Grammy to hold her for three hours, sure brought back a lot of memories of raising and holding and cuddling all my babies when they were not up to par.I cannot express how much I grew to love her and her mom more during that time. In fact, now that I am on the subject of love..let me say that .."One always loves family, because they are family..even from a distance", but when our lives intertwine in close proximity, we acquire a bond that cannot be broken. A bond that brings us sooo much closer and helps us to relate to one another's feelings so much more intensely than loving one another from a distance. I have always felt that way, especially since in the past, I had 4 grandchildren nearby and one 500 miles away many years ago. Today, having just spent two weeks with my children, 4 grandchildren and a great-granddaughter, I feel such great love for them and their families and a much closer bond to them than I feel for my granddaughter and great-grandson, who I haven't seen but only twice, I think, in the past two or three years. I do worry so about them and our lack of contact, however I cannot control the situation and have put them in my "God Box", knowing He is in charge. I love them both very much, want the best for them, and wish we could be closer...maybe, some day.
Next to lastly, even though I was quite sad to leave my family in Illinois, it was great to return to my loving husband in Arizona and structure in my life, again. I have been home almost four days now, and with each day, things are becoming a bit more organized and I am beginning to feel my head above water a bit from my neglected duties caused by my two week absence. Some calamities that needed caring for were not caused by my neglect..just by my absence and having had to leave them up to Larry..such as watering my little plants on the coffee table that were over watered, causing the dark brown water to leak on the coffee table,and rip down onto my off whit carpets..through the area rug and onto the big rug underneath, along with the bottom drawer of the freezer being left open an inch for a week, causing the thawing of all the food in it, a big ice build-up which would not let the drawer close again until it was defrosted, and probably, as a result, a huge electric bill on its way here! Other than those major events, all went pretty smoothly in my absence.
What's coming up in the next few weeks? My CASA Belle group is performing about 6 times..making pretty big bucks each time..$75 to $150 per performance, A lot of yard work, painting inside house walls..revamping master and guest bedrooms, more tests ordered by my Cardiologist yesterday, and hopefully, a visit to the Arizona Heart Institute to get a second opinion, clean all closets..removing clothes to big for me and too small for Larry..organizing office..much, much ironing...replacing missing roof shingles before the monsoons start..just for beginners. A busy summer ahead.
Lastly, Larry and I so very blessed with loving families and friends and, also, for an abundance of material acquisitions and a sufficient income, at this time. We pray daily for all the troubled people in the world and especially for those folks close to us, knowing that even though their lives are experiencing trauma at this time, that they are all in His tender loving care.
Bye for now and much love to all my babies, big and small and tiny..mom, grammie and nana
Firstly, the Ms Senior AZ pageant was a vast learning experience for me. Although I did not win or even place in the top five, I learned quite a bit about pageantry, made many new friends and qualified to become a member of the Cameo Club. So, why is that so great, you ask? Now my friend, Shirley, and I can perform duets at their shows, which they have to earn money for Alzheimer's. Who knows, maybe I'll try again next year, "God willing and the creek doesn't rise."
Maybe next year, I will not be sick as a dog with a horrible cold at pageant time, as I was this year.
My three CASA cases are moving along towards permanency of adoption, some more smoothly than others. With my poor health and busy schedule on top of it all, I have been a bit remiss spending time with my CASA kids. I, now, plan to correct that, beginning with taking them all to the circus in the next few weeks. My thirteen year-old and I did go on a hike three weeks ago, which was great fun..she is such a dear young lady. In the next couple weeks, I have three court hearings and two foster-care review boards and three child-family-team members to attend and three CASA reports and two reports to the judge to write, files to organize and dispose of and then I will make an attempt to organize the office.
The best happening I have experienced in the past six weeks, or so, is my visit to Illinois to see all my babies, big and small and, yes, even the tiny one! Where to begin? My time was very busy there for two weeks doing movie going (the Narnia Movie), mini putting at Volcano Falls (my favorite course!), attending and providing transportation to My 12 year-old's three girls fast ball games, attending and providing rides to swimming lessons for Brennan (5Th level) and Kristina (junior lifeguard) classes, lots of eating out (especially great to see and eat at my friend's restaurant, yum, yum!), lots and lots of shopping...praise God for Marshall's dept. store, where one can buy great quality for half the price), cooking a few good homemade dinners, which my 14 year-old grandson informed me about, saying even though he loved me and enjoyed my visits, two weeks of homemade food and no fast food was really hard for him! Sorry Brennan, I really fear your health on all that fast food and hope your liver doesn't begin to fail like the guy's that ate only at McDonald's for 30 days! What else, oh yes..took a ride up to see my son and daughter-in-law in Kenosha, WI. It was great to see where they live now temporarily one block from Lake Michigan..cooked goulash for them and one would have thought I made fillet Mignon! They were both sooo delighted! Took a 12" stainless steel fry pan for a gift and have since heard back from them that it's the best pan they have It browns so well and even their hamburgers taste sooo much better! Ah yes, tricks of the cooking trade passed onto the young by the elderly. I slept on their 3rd floor guest room air mattress. The bed was fine, however the climb was a challenge, at best! I do believe, however, it did make my heart stronger from the experience.
I had the opportunity to see my great-granddaughter for two weekends as her mommy and daddy had to work, along with spending an afternoon at my granddaughter's apartment, swimming and eating Subways...YUM, YUM! Aubrey, was quite ill the last weekend and just wanted her Grammy to hold her for three hours, sure brought back a lot of memories of raising and holding and cuddling all my babies when they were not up to par.I cannot express how much I grew to love her and her mom more during that time. In fact, now that I am on the subject of love..let me say that .."One always loves family, because they are family..even from a distance", but when our lives intertwine in close proximity, we acquire a bond that cannot be broken. A bond that brings us sooo much closer and helps us to relate to one another's feelings so much more intensely than loving one another from a distance. I have always felt that way, especially since in the past, I had 4 grandchildren nearby and one 500 miles away many years ago. Today, having just spent two weeks with my children, 4 grandchildren and a great-granddaughter, I feel such great love for them and their families and a much closer bond to them than I feel for my granddaughter and great-grandson, who I haven't seen but only twice, I think, in the past two or three years. I do worry so about them and our lack of contact, however I cannot control the situation and have put them in my "God Box", knowing He is in charge. I love them both very much, want the best for them, and wish we could be closer...maybe, some day.
Next to lastly, even though I was quite sad to leave my family in Illinois, it was great to return to my loving husband in Arizona and structure in my life, again. I have been home almost four days now, and with each day, things are becoming a bit more organized and I am beginning to feel my head above water a bit from my neglected duties caused by my two week absence. Some calamities that needed caring for were not caused by my neglect..just by my absence and having had to leave them up to Larry..such as watering my little plants on the coffee table that were over watered, causing the dark brown water to leak on the coffee table,and rip down onto my off whit carpets..through the area rug and onto the big rug underneath, along with the bottom drawer of the freezer being left open an inch for a week, causing the thawing of all the food in it, a big ice build-up which would not let the drawer close again until it was defrosted, and probably, as a result, a huge electric bill on its way here! Other than those major events, all went pretty smoothly in my absence.
What's coming up in the next few weeks? My CASA Belle group is performing about 6 times..making pretty big bucks each time..$75 to $150 per performance, A lot of yard work, painting inside house walls..revamping master and guest bedrooms, more tests ordered by my Cardiologist yesterday, and hopefully, a visit to the Arizona Heart Institute to get a second opinion, clean all closets..removing clothes to big for me and too small for Larry..organizing office..much, much ironing...replacing missing roof shingles before the monsoons start..just for beginners. A busy summer ahead.
Lastly, Larry and I so very blessed with loving families and friends and, also, for an abundance of material acquisitions and a sufficient income, at this time. We pray daily for all the troubled people in the world and especially for those folks close to us, knowing that even though their lives are experiencing trauma at this time, that they are all in His tender loving care.
Bye for now and much love to all my babies, big and small and tiny..mom, grammie and nana
Thursday, May 15, 2008
And Life Goes On!
Well, here I am, almost 2 weeks to the date of my judge's interview for the pageant update!
The week after, I was totally worn out and could not do my Cardio Rehab. The nurse threatened to report me to my doc if I didn't TOTALLY rest for one week, eating lots of veggies and fruit. So, that I did and this week I am totally renewed!
Received my labs from last week and they are the best ever! My Cardio Rehab, also, went very well on Tuesday. Surprising what a little rest will do, EH? So, on with LIFE!
This A.M. I spent about an hour on line looking for a new gown for next year's pageant..;)
Well, I don't know if any contestant ever one on their first try and I am beginning to get excited about next year! This Sunday I will attend the Post Pageant Party in Peoria, AZ and receive my gifts and dvd's and professional pictures. It will be fun to see all the gals again.
For today, however, I intend to spend a couple hours cleaning the garage, as we are getting a new door on Tuesday, and maybe plant my plants that have been waiting for almost a month to go into the ground, before they all die. I will do all this after I sit down and pay bills for an hour!
Yesterday, I caught up with the regular laundry and next I will strip the beds of flannel sheets and ready them for this Spring weather we are having, which also includes taking the down comforter off the bed that has been much too hot for the past couple weeks!
Yesterday, I took Leo to the train..As we left his house, he said, " Guess that's it!" I responded, "Yes, another chapter in your life." He said, "And what a chapter it was!" He seemed to take it much better that I expected. In fact, I think I was more sad than he as we left the house for the last time. He offered to have me take anything I wanted from the house that was up for sale, but I just couldn't bring myself to accept his offer as everything just brought back sad memories. So, we left with my sister Ruth and Misty (as Leo put it) in the suitcase, which was in my car's trunk! Guess he didn't trust leaving the ashes out of his sight and is hauling them home in his suitcase! As I attempted to lift it, I asked him, "What ever is in this suitcase, bricks?" As I have never lifted such a heavy one! "No," he said, then added, "Just a few things, not that much." He didn't tell me at the time about the heavy ashes in there, maybe 'cause the last time he handed me a velvet bag with Misty's ashes in it explaining to me that I was now holding Misty, I almost threw up! So, he didn't tell me about the ashes in the case until we were on our way.
We had lunch at Denny's and shared a strawberry shake (Ruth's favorite) almost in celebration of Leo taking her and Misty home, it seemed...:( We drove to Flagstaff and had no trouble finding the historic four story hotel Leo had reservations at. It is two blocks from the train station. This A.M. at 4:30 he was to be picked up by a cab and taken to the station to catch his 5:15AM train. So, buy now, he, Ruth and Misty are on their way home to Illinois. Another chapter in my life closed, too. (I am very sad now, thinking about it..don't know if I will ever get over the loss of my big sister, who was the only constant I ever had throughout my lifetime, until last October. "You are severely missed, my dear, dear sister and almost mom.)
We must all move on now, knowing she is better off where she is and is now experiencing the love of those that went before her and of our merciful and forgiving Lord. "Til next time, luv to all my babies big and small, yo mama and grammie.
The week after, I was totally worn out and could not do my Cardio Rehab. The nurse threatened to report me to my doc if I didn't TOTALLY rest for one week, eating lots of veggies and fruit. So, that I did and this week I am totally renewed!
Received my labs from last week and they are the best ever! My Cardio Rehab, also, went very well on Tuesday. Surprising what a little rest will do, EH? So, on with LIFE!
This A.M. I spent about an hour on line looking for a new gown for next year's pageant..;)
Well, I don't know if any contestant ever one on their first try and I am beginning to get excited about next year! This Sunday I will attend the Post Pageant Party in Peoria, AZ and receive my gifts and dvd's and professional pictures. It will be fun to see all the gals again.
For today, however, I intend to spend a couple hours cleaning the garage, as we are getting a new door on Tuesday, and maybe plant my plants that have been waiting for almost a month to go into the ground, before they all die. I will do all this after I sit down and pay bills for an hour!
Yesterday, I caught up with the regular laundry and next I will strip the beds of flannel sheets and ready them for this Spring weather we are having, which also includes taking the down comforter off the bed that has been much too hot for the past couple weeks!
Yesterday, I took Leo to the train..As we left his house, he said, " Guess that's it!" I responded, "Yes, another chapter in your life." He said, "And what a chapter it was!" He seemed to take it much better that I expected. In fact, I think I was more sad than he as we left the house for the last time. He offered to have me take anything I wanted from the house that was up for sale, but I just couldn't bring myself to accept his offer as everything just brought back sad memories. So, we left with my sister Ruth and Misty (as Leo put it) in the suitcase, which was in my car's trunk! Guess he didn't trust leaving the ashes out of his sight and is hauling them home in his suitcase! As I attempted to lift it, I asked him, "What ever is in this suitcase, bricks?" As I have never lifted such a heavy one! "No," he said, then added, "Just a few things, not that much." He didn't tell me at the time about the heavy ashes in there, maybe 'cause the last time he handed me a velvet bag with Misty's ashes in it explaining to me that I was now holding Misty, I almost threw up! So, he didn't tell me about the ashes in the case until we were on our way.
We had lunch at Denny's and shared a strawberry shake (Ruth's favorite) almost in celebration of Leo taking her and Misty home, it seemed...:( We drove to Flagstaff and had no trouble finding the historic four story hotel Leo had reservations at. It is two blocks from the train station. This A.M. at 4:30 he was to be picked up by a cab and taken to the station to catch his 5:15AM train. So, buy now, he, Ruth and Misty are on their way home to Illinois. Another chapter in my life closed, too. (I am very sad now, thinking about it..don't know if I will ever get over the loss of my big sister, who was the only constant I ever had throughout my lifetime, until last October. "You are severely missed, my dear, dear sister and almost mom.)
We must all move on now, knowing she is better off where she is and is now experiencing the love of those that went before her and of our merciful and forgiving Lord. "Til next time, luv to all my babies big and small, yo mama and grammie.
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Is It Over or Just Beginning?
Here it is Thursday already..the pageant was five days ago...guess I am just beginning to get my feet back on the ground!
Well, I did not win or even place in the top five this time...This time, you say? Well, maybe I 'll try again next year..most the preparation is already done..should be a piece of cake next time! We'll see. Sure made a bunch of new friends..hope they all stay in touch..we went through a lot together.
It really seems nice having time to do the dishes and the laundry and maybe even vacume the floors tomorrow..what a treat!
Then, of course, I have my three CASA kids that I have almost totally ignored the past month and even longer because of the pageant demands and my illnesses. Looking forward to socializing with them and fighting the system for them again.
This Saturday, Larry and I will take Leo's dresser to him as he is being moved on the 12th and next Wednesday, the 14th, I will take him to Flagstaff where he will catch the train to Illinois the next day at about 6AM, I guess. Another chapter of my life closed..can't think too much about it as it is still very hard for me to accept the fact that my dear sister (and almost mom) is no longer on Earth. I miss her so very, very much! I understand that this Autumn Debbie will have a memorial service for her, which will help with some closure..it did with my sister Laurie, anyway.
I must now concentrate on getting stronger as my nurse a Cardio-Rehab is quite concerned about the down turn in my Cardio results. She feels I totally wore myself out the last couple weeks with little sleep, the stress of the pageant, all the activities, the dancing and to top it all off, being quite ill with a really bad cold. She made me promise to rest 'til next Tuesday and eat lots of veggies and fruits to help regain my strength and if I don't show improvement by Tuesday, she will report it to my doc...whoa!! sounds pretty authoritarian to me. In a couple weeks, I intend to get a second opinion, anyway.
Til next time..love to all my babies big and small..yo mama and grammie
Well, I did not win or even place in the top five this time...This time, you say? Well, maybe I 'll try again next year..most the preparation is already done..should be a piece of cake next time! We'll see. Sure made a bunch of new friends..hope they all stay in touch..we went through a lot together.
It really seems nice having time to do the dishes and the laundry and maybe even vacume the floors tomorrow..what a treat!
Then, of course, I have my three CASA kids that I have almost totally ignored the past month and even longer because of the pageant demands and my illnesses. Looking forward to socializing with them and fighting the system for them again.
This Saturday, Larry and I will take Leo's dresser to him as he is being moved on the 12th and next Wednesday, the 14th, I will take him to Flagstaff where he will catch the train to Illinois the next day at about 6AM, I guess. Another chapter of my life closed..can't think too much about it as it is still very hard for me to accept the fact that my dear sister (and almost mom) is no longer on Earth. I miss her so very, very much! I understand that this Autumn Debbie will have a memorial service for her, which will help with some closure..it did with my sister Laurie, anyway.
I must now concentrate on getting stronger as my nurse a Cardio-Rehab is quite concerned about the down turn in my Cardio results. She feels I totally wore myself out the last couple weeks with little sleep, the stress of the pageant, all the activities, the dancing and to top it all off, being quite ill with a really bad cold. She made me promise to rest 'til next Tuesday and eat lots of veggies and fruits to help regain my strength and if I don't show improvement by Tuesday, she will report it to my doc...whoa!! sounds pretty authoritarian to me. In a couple weeks, I intend to get a second opinion, anyway.
Til next time..love to all my babies big and small..yo mama and grammie
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Ready, Set......Go!!!
Woke up Tuesday AM with a horribly burning throat and sinuses...just what I need with a million things yet to do for the pageant! Got out the echinasia, and cold eeeze. Troat continued to burn..could not swallow...went to the store and bought two bags of potato chips. Started eating them on the way home and WALLA!!! Within about five minutes, throat was better...so every 3 or 4 hours since, I eat more chips. Feel much better today...just wish my nose would quit filling up. That'll be cute tomorrow if I have to keep wiping and/or blowing my nose during my interview with the judges (did I mention, also, wiping the make-up off my face at the same time..:(......?
Dress has been redesigned, revamped and added to, toe nails are polished, finger nails are glued on (Still have to file and polish them) and I am having quite a time here trying to type with them! I wnet spray tanning for the second time in 8 days..pretty tan right now. Two interviews today with the Prescott and Prescott Valley news papers. Seems like they are interested after all...the Prescott Paper said they were going to write a story about me, instead of just publishing the press release from the pageant people! Sure hope I at least end up in the top five, so I don't embarrass my city! They are coming to our performance on Monday to take more pictures and get the results of the pageant.
Just need to finish packing and go over my lists of lists so as not to forget anything!
Debbie called today from Pekin to ask me if I could take Leo to the motel in Flagstaff on the 14th. Guess he is going home to Illinois on Amtrack and needs to spend the night there 'cause the only train going his way leaves at 4 or 5:30AM. Said I would be happy to do that. The movers are coming on the 12th..they will be towing his car. I don't know how he will sleep there the next two nights with no furnitue. Larry and I are thinking of asking him to stay here 'til the 14th...we'll see. She has rented an apartment for him 2 minuts away from her with the mall and a city park a block away, so he won't have to drive much. He had a crashed fender last time I saw his car and Deb said he ran into Kim's car coming out of his garage a couple weeks ago. Too bad..wonder how Kim felt about that?
A bit chillier here today about 67 degrees..a bit windy, but the air smells very fresh..just like up at the lakes in Wisconsin.
Signing off now...my next blog will probably be Sunday night or Monday..
Love to all my babies, big and small..yo mama and grammie
Dress has been redesigned, revamped and added to, toe nails are polished, finger nails are glued on (Still have to file and polish them) and I am having quite a time here trying to type with them! I wnet spray tanning for the second time in 8 days..pretty tan right now. Two interviews today with the Prescott and Prescott Valley news papers. Seems like they are interested after all...the Prescott Paper said they were going to write a story about me, instead of just publishing the press release from the pageant people! Sure hope I at least end up in the top five, so I don't embarrass my city! They are coming to our performance on Monday to take more pictures and get the results of the pageant.
Just need to finish packing and go over my lists of lists so as not to forget anything!
Debbie called today from Pekin to ask me if I could take Leo to the motel in Flagstaff on the 14th. Guess he is going home to Illinois on Amtrack and needs to spend the night there 'cause the only train going his way leaves at 4 or 5:30AM. Said I would be happy to do that. The movers are coming on the 12th..they will be towing his car. I don't know how he will sleep there the next two nights with no furnitue. Larry and I are thinking of asking him to stay here 'til the 14th...we'll see. She has rented an apartment for him 2 minuts away from her with the mall and a city park a block away, so he won't have to drive much. He had a crashed fender last time I saw his car and Deb said he ran into Kim's car coming out of his garage a couple weeks ago. Too bad..wonder how Kim felt about that?
A bit chillier here today about 67 degrees..a bit windy, but the air smells very fresh..just like up at the lakes in Wisconsin.
Signing off now...my next blog will probably be Sunday night or Monday..
Love to all my babies, big and small..yo mama and grammie
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
The Pressure is Mounting!
Yes, just three more days until my interview with the pageant judges and four days 'til the pageant itself. Yikes!
Last night I began adding embellishments to my very plain gown I chose over three months ago to wear for this pageant. However, after seeing the other's gowns last week, mine is very, very plain. I refuse to spend 100's of dollars and sometimes 1000's for a pageant gown...so, I bought some rhinestone rope and some material to drape from the back to some arm bracelets that I am about to construct! Say a prayer...I haven't a clue what I am doing..this is a first attempt for me. Last night I sewed the rhinestone rope on the gown's halter top, all around the edges and added a rhinestone pine I purchased in Vegas 30 years ago on the bodice of the gown...not too bad!..If I knew how to put a picture on here, I would do it..but, alas, no time to figure that out right now. Wish you were here, Joke, to help with the draping part..I haven't a clue, but will begin soon my clueless efforts..should be done by tonight. I must do it in between my home communion visit to a church shut in at 11AM...my Cardio Rehab jaunt at 1PM and a family team meeting at 5PM for one of my CASA cases. Whew!
Then in my sparetime, I will try on and choose a suit (I haven't worn any of them for about 10 years, hope one fits!)to wear for my Friday interview with the judges, frost my hair, try and figure out how to wear it with my new hair piece, buy some fake fingernails..try on my new lashes, make a new hairpiece accessory, study my questions and still find time to practice my routine that I keep totally blanking out in parts.....:(
By next week this time, it will all be over and I can finally rest..I told my girlfriend that got me into this thing that I really hope I do not win as I need a rest! I think just being in the top five would be quite an honor and if I am up to it next year, I can try again...who knows?
We have ordered a new garage door which came in last week, but of course, we have no time to even think about cleaning the garage in the next week or so, so they can install it. We have that to look forward to, perhaps next week and the weeds are growing and my purchased flowers are drooping from living in their little containers for weeks!
It is in the 70's here every day. We have much to do before the rainy season comes in July...saw it was 46 in Chicago, yesterday. BBRRrrrrr...cold. Glad I am not there, but sure would be nice if you all were here to share in the excitement this weekend...maybe next time, if there is one.
Well, off to sewing now..take care and love to all my babies, big and small...yo mama and grammie
Last night I began adding embellishments to my very plain gown I chose over three months ago to wear for this pageant. However, after seeing the other's gowns last week, mine is very, very plain. I refuse to spend 100's of dollars and sometimes 1000's for a pageant gown...so, I bought some rhinestone rope and some material to drape from the back to some arm bracelets that I am about to construct! Say a prayer...I haven't a clue what I am doing..this is a first attempt for me. Last night I sewed the rhinestone rope on the gown's halter top, all around the edges and added a rhinestone pine I purchased in Vegas 30 years ago on the bodice of the gown...not too bad!..If I knew how to put a picture on here, I would do it..but, alas, no time to figure that out right now. Wish you were here, Joke, to help with the draping part..I haven't a clue, but will begin soon my clueless efforts..should be done by tonight. I must do it in between my home communion visit to a church shut in at 11AM...my Cardio Rehab jaunt at 1PM and a family team meeting at 5PM for one of my CASA cases. Whew!
Then in my sparetime, I will try on and choose a suit (I haven't worn any of them for about 10 years, hope one fits!)to wear for my Friday interview with the judges, frost my hair, try and figure out how to wear it with my new hair piece, buy some fake fingernails..try on my new lashes, make a new hairpiece accessory, study my questions and still find time to practice my routine that I keep totally blanking out in parts.....:(
By next week this time, it will all be over and I can finally rest..I told my girlfriend that got me into this thing that I really hope I do not win as I need a rest! I think just being in the top five would be quite an honor and if I am up to it next year, I can try again...who knows?
We have ordered a new garage door which came in last week, but of course, we have no time to even think about cleaning the garage in the next week or so, so they can install it. We have that to look forward to, perhaps next week and the weeds are growing and my purchased flowers are drooping from living in their little containers for weeks!
It is in the 70's here every day. We have much to do before the rainy season comes in July...saw it was 46 in Chicago, yesterday. BBRRrrrrr...cold. Glad I am not there, but sure would be nice if you all were here to share in the excitement this weekend...maybe next time, if there is one.
Well, off to sewing now..take care and love to all my babies, big and small...yo mama and grammie
Sunday, April 13, 2008
SORRY!
Oh my goodness...has it been about three weeks since my last blog? Unbelievable! Even now, I probably need to be practicing my routine instead of blogging. However, having just read Jacque's blog, I guess if she can find the time to do it, I can too. So, for the next few minutes, I will ignore the laundry, the ironing, the organizing, the sewing, the paperwork for my husband's business and a lot more, while a type a few notes on here. (Just a minute, I need to add Downey to the rinse cycle!) OK, I am back :(
Now, the pageant...they now have a bit more info on www.msseniorarizona.com about the contestants. There are many lovely and very talented ladies in the pageant. I must keep remembering that I am told by the pageant directors that I am not competing against the others and that I am only competing against being "ALL I CAN BE", because that is what I will be judged on. Good thing, 'cause boy there are some great ladies in the pageant. We have had two rehearsals, so far. Each time, it seems I forget a bit less of my routine. Hopefully, by the time I perform it (oh my goodness, is it just three weeks away?) I will know most of it and maybe even have added a bit of styling and technique..pray for a miracle ;(...I must say that it is actually getting to be fun at times and I am meeting some very nice people....lifetime friends? possibly. I am revamping and adding some bling to my gown, (got some design suggestions from the designer that is doing my costume. God bless her. Oh yes, the costume creation wheels are turning and I got to try on the shell of it last Wednesday. It is to be ready by this Friday so I can pick it up then. The designer, Judy, told me last week, "Don't you worry, honey, I will do a very special job just for you. I will add a lot of bling and you will be very sparkly, and you will be just beautiful! She is such a dear and the owner is, also, so very kind...I don't know how I deserve such "Grace" from them, but thank you God for all the help and support I am receiving throughout this ordeal. Without it, I would have given up long ago.
Larry will be going to the pageant with my friend, Shirley's husband and their single son, Darin, and Larry's single daughter, Joy...hint, hint! Also, Larry's son, Matt, and his wife, Michelle, and their two teenagers are coming. Along with some of my friends and there husbands and possibly my dentist and his staff and some of the staff from Randell Designs..Sure wish my family lived closer..I know they would all be there if it was possible.
Cardio news...I have been attending Cardio-Rehab for three weeks, now. The nurse said I am improving. She said at my stress test in Feb, 2009, my heart shut down when stressed and my blood pressure crashed...now, during my exercise routine there at rehab, my pulse goes up along with my blood pressure to about 175/over 90....yey!!! God is good! I can now do my entire routine without collapsing, anyway..used to be I could only do about 8 or 9 measures of 8 and then I would have to sit down. Yes, the last couple weeks, I have become optimistically hopeful that I will be around a few more years, anyway..Thank you Lord for your many blessings.
Ok, enuf for now..back to the laundry..luv to all my babies, big and small..mom and Grammie
Now, the pageant...they now have a bit more info on www.msseniorarizona.com about the contestants. There are many lovely and very talented ladies in the pageant. I must keep remembering that I am told by the pageant directors that I am not competing against the others and that I am only competing against being "ALL I CAN BE", because that is what I will be judged on. Good thing, 'cause boy there are some great ladies in the pageant. We have had two rehearsals, so far. Each time, it seems I forget a bit less of my routine. Hopefully, by the time I perform it (oh my goodness, is it just three weeks away?) I will know most of it and maybe even have added a bit of styling and technique..pray for a miracle ;(...I must say that it is actually getting to be fun at times and I am meeting some very nice people....lifetime friends? possibly. I am revamping and adding some bling to my gown, (got some design suggestions from the designer that is doing my costume. God bless her. Oh yes, the costume creation wheels are turning and I got to try on the shell of it last Wednesday. It is to be ready by this Friday so I can pick it up then. The designer, Judy, told me last week, "Don't you worry, honey, I will do a very special job just for you. I will add a lot of bling and you will be very sparkly, and you will be just beautiful! She is such a dear and the owner is, also, so very kind...I don't know how I deserve such "Grace" from them, but thank you God for all the help and support I am receiving throughout this ordeal. Without it, I would have given up long ago.
Larry will be going to the pageant with my friend, Shirley's husband and their single son, Darin, and Larry's single daughter, Joy...hint, hint! Also, Larry's son, Matt, and his wife, Michelle, and their two teenagers are coming. Along with some of my friends and there husbands and possibly my dentist and his staff and some of the staff from Randell Designs..Sure wish my family lived closer..I know they would all be there if it was possible.
Cardio news...I have been attending Cardio-Rehab for three weeks, now. The nurse said I am improving. She said at my stress test in Feb, 2009, my heart shut down when stressed and my blood pressure crashed...now, during my exercise routine there at rehab, my pulse goes up along with my blood pressure to about 175/over 90....yey!!! God is good! I can now do my entire routine without collapsing, anyway..used to be I could only do about 8 or 9 measures of 8 and then I would have to sit down. Yes, the last couple weeks, I have become optimistically hopeful that I will be around a few more years, anyway..Thank you Lord for your many blessings.
Ok, enuf for now..back to the laundry..luv to all my babies, big and small..mom and Grammie
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